Apparauts for making grids



Feb. 6, 1940.

J. A. LACKEY APPARATUS FOR MAKING GRIDS Filed Feb. 10, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR. Jamar/4. l ackqy A TTORNEYS.

Feb. 6, K Y

' APPARATUS FOR MAKING GRIDS Filed Feb. 10, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 mmvmze. James A. Lackqq ATTORNEYS.

Feb. 6, 1940.

J. A. LACKEY 2,188,906

. APPARATUS FOR MAKING GRIDS' Fil ed Feb. 10, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 :37 75 burning fool 7b fransformer.

INVENTOR. Jamesfl. [ac/ray.

Feb. 6, 1940. J LACKEY 2,188,906

APPARATUS FOR MAKING GRIDS Filed Feb. 10, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IIYVEN TOR. James 141 Lackey A T TORNEYS.

%, QW iw Patented Feb. 6, 1940 tit:

a ssgeoe APlARATUS Fon MAKING cams y James A. Lackey, Bellevill e; N. ,J., assignor to Tung-Sol Lamp Works Inc Newark, N. J.,; acorporation of Delaware. i v 1 I Application rebruar'yio; 1938, Serial No. 189,813 H "'22 Clain' s. o1. 140-71) This invention relates "to the making of grids,

used in thermionic or electron discharge tubes and similar devices.

More particularly theinventiomrelates to the manufacture of'grids' comprising'a pair of par' allel support wires with the grid'wire wound thereabout in the 'form of. a helix and with the turns lying in and fastened in notches formed in the support wires;- The common practice in theni'anufactu're of 'these grids, isfto form a multiple-numbez-"of grid sections uponthe support wires'with the grid wire Wound continuously about the supportwires but wound loosely and unfastened about the'support wire's'at predetermined intervals atp'oints where the multiple grid length is to be severed to form the individual grid units. The invention relates particularly to a machine for forming such grids-fcomprising a rotating mandrel forthe support wires, a notching wheel for forming notches in the wire, means for feeding the support wire alongthe rotating mandrel and for feeding. grid wire thereto, and

an abrading wheel for fastening the grid turns within the notches formed in the support wire.

One" object of the invention i's' the'automatic severing of the unfastened sections ofvwoun'd grid wire as the multiplegrid length is progressively formed whereby-the unfastened and severed loosely wound gridwire maybe readily removed from theadjac'ent grid sections, and par- *ticularly novel method and apparatus for, ac; .complishingthat result."

A further objectjlof the invention is anovel machine of the above indicated ty'p'e wherein'the loosely wound and unfas'tened-sections of grid wire are severed by anelectrical burning off tool or tools operating in timed relation with the other elements of the machine to burn off the ends of. the 'unfastened sections at points adja-" centthe fastened ends of the fastened sections Without impairingthelatter. I v

A further objectof the invention is a machine of the above indicated character 1 wherein both 7 the lengthsof the fastened grid-wire sections and sections maybe readthe unfas'tened g ridwire ily varied .at will.

Further objects of the invention will herein after appear.

. Fora better'unlderstanding of the invention ref;-

erence may be ad-toythe a m ny d aings forming apart of this application wherein: 1 shows a section of a multiple grid length tobeformedj v Fig. 2 is an 'elevatio'nal view diagrammatically .Fig.

illustrating partly in section and with parts omitted-a machine'embodying the invention;

Fig. 3 is a planview showing the drive'for the control cam shaft;

Fig. 4 is an 'e'levational view showingthe mechanism-for'operatingthe abradi'n'g tool; i

Fig; 5 ,is a View of the electrical circuit for the burning off tool together with means for contrOIIingthe circuit; s Fig. 6 is a view'showing the mechanism foroperating the buri'iing off tool; and

Figs. '7 and Bare views showingamodification. of the invention. I

Referring to Fig. l'fof the 'drawing'there is shown a multiple section grid, length having support Wires I; grid wire 2 coil therearoundhaving its turns disposed in notches formed by the notching Wheel {and fastened therein by arr-abrading wheel 4. At 2" is shown a section of" the loosely wound unfastened gridwire between two adjacent grid sections havingthe wire' fastened thereto. I

Referring toFigQZ a conventional mandrel 5 is shown which is carried by a rotating sleeve or drum 6, the latterflbeing revolubly mounted in bearings '4 carried by the frame it; The sleeve 6 i is driven by means omitted for convenience in illustration. A gear 5) keyed to. the sleeve 6 meshes I I witha pinion or gear (not shown) on the drive shaft l'(Fig; 3). r

The mandrel} isof any conventional form having' grooves on'the opposite sides thereof for accommodatingthe support wires I which are unreeled from the reels I i, the latter being mounted for rotation with vthe mandrel 5 and the sleeve.

3,v this mounting being omitted for convenience in illustration. ried by a bracket {2 and this bracket i l2.is read .ily adjustable in anysuitable manner'to obtain the desired depth of the notches in the support Wires i as well as to enable the'wheel tobe removed entirelyif desired from operative engagement with the support wires; the adjusting mechanism being omitted 'for' convenience in illustration;

The abrading Wheel 4 is carried and operated by the mechanism indicated in Figs-3 and 4. A

The notching wheel- 3 is carburning oif tool 13 is indicated for burning the grid wire off at the points M and 15 (Fig. 1), and the circuit and mechanism for supplying electrical potential to the tool 13 at the required time and for operating the tool is shown in Figs. 5 and 6. A reel it for supplying the grid wire Ztothe rotating mandrel 5'is indicated diagrammatically in Fig. '4

ratchet wheels 23 which are keyed to thecam shaft 28. These pawls 2i and 22 are driven by eccentrics 2 3 which are keyed to the drive shaft it. By means of this doubled pawl ratchet drive mechanism a rotation is imparted to the cam or control shaft 29 which approaches a continuous rotational movement and at a high reduction ratio with respect to the drive shaft H).

.The abrading wheel 4 is carried by a lever 25 which is pivoted or fulcrumed at 21 on the frame 1 On the opposite. side of the fulcrum part 28.

point 21 from the abrading wheel 4 the lever 26' 1 comprises an elongated arm 25 having an enlargement as for adjustably carrying a roller 33, this roller 38 being adjustably carried in. any, suitable manner in a slot 3! formed in-the en'l'arge- The roller 31! bears on the periphery 1 of cam wheel 32 which is keyed or suitably fastened to the control shaft 2%. This wheel 32 electrode. 53. I The circuit through the'primary 62 ment 25.

has a cylindrical bearing surface of equal radii from the axis of the control shaft, 26 for the greater portion of 'itscircumference, but is provided vidth a raised cam surface 32 for'engaging the roller 39 during a. certain portion of each j revolution, and thereby Withdrawing the abrading wheel 4 from engagement with the support wires I disposed on the mandrel 5. The cam 32' of the Wheel 32 corresponds to the unfastened section of the grid wire 2' and is of variable length circumferentially of the wheel 32 for varying the length of the unfastened grid wire sec,- tions relatively to that of the fastened sections. This 'variabl'e'cam 32 is of. any conventicn'al construction, as for example of adjustable mating discs and the adjustable feature is omitted for convenience in illustration. The outer end of the lever arm 25 is formed into a right angle part 25 and a spring 34 having one end fastened at 35 to the machine frame and having its other end fastened by an adjustable screw 36 to the part taining the roller 3d of the lever 25 :in engage- An adjustable set screw 38 is screw threadedly attached to the 25 of the lever is illustrated-for.yieldingly rement'with the cam wheel 32.

lever arm 'iifi with its lower end abutting against a bearing surface 49 on the frame for adjusting and limiting the movement of the abrading wheel 4 towards the mandrel 5. The adjustable set screw 38 and the-adjustablecroller 355 form together a means for accurately-adjusting the ab-rading. and fastening operations of the abradingwheeld.

The burning off tool l3-is carried on one end of -alever which is fulcrurned at Mi upon the frame part. The burning oif tool or electrode i3 is insulatedly carried "by the insulated holder ML diagrammatically illustrated, which is suitably fastened to the end of the lever-d5. lever 45 and the electrode [3 arenormally'yieldingly; held by aspring 49 in such position that the electrode. l3 does not contact the grid wire of the mandrel 5, this spring id being attached at one end to the lever 65 and at the other end to a bracket or arm 5%. 'Ihe lever 45%! hasv an end 15. everhanging the fulcrum point 46 and to this end 15' there is adjustably fastened acam engaging part 5i, the latter'having a toe (5!" for engaging the cams to bedescribed below. The lever member 5| is pivotally mounted at 46 and is provided with an arcuate slot 553 which accommodates a-screw53 carriedby the end 45- of the ever and a clamping nut 54 is illustrated for clamping the member 5! .to the endfitl of the lever in any adjusted position.

The lever 45, 5| and electrode 53 are actuated by a pair of cams 55 and 56 which are'keyed or 2,1sa,906. I

otherwise fastened to the cam shaft 28. The cams I 55 and ,56 are mounted on separate abutting. discs, one of which discs is providedwithjarcuate s1ots. 5!"and the other disc provided with clamping screws 58 for 'clamping the-two discs ,in adjustable'relation to each other, these discs being indicated at 55' and 56' Thus the arcuate I p distance-between the cams 55 and 58, is adjusted to correspond to the relative lengths of the urn fastened gridwire sections 2" and thefastened sections.

The electrical circuit for theburning off tool I3 is indicated in Fig.5 and1comprises terminals Bil for connection to the power line (not shown). f;

a transformer iii having a primary 62 and a secondaryfiii. The secondary 63 isconnected at one side to the ground 64 and at the other side to the line' 65 leading to the burning ofi tool or is automaticallyclosed.and opened by-means of a switch 66 comprising a contact fillcarried by a tween the contacts of the switch or circuit breaker fifiq Theother contact 1370f the switch 66 is carried by ,a. spring arm 14 -V which isfastened gto the insulating block 68 by means of a screw 5 55. One terminaltll is connected through line It i with terminal Tl l-eadingtoflthespring arm '14 and the contact '53. The spring arm M is pro- T vided with-a boss or-an abutment 19 having'a l part disposed 'in-the path-of-theeams illlandlil,

which engage'th'e abutmnt mt rclose-the switch fifi while the electrode I 3 isin' contact} withthe 5': I

v are carriedbyabutting discs 89' and 8! which are keyed or otherwise fastened to the control shaft 25!. The camsiiliiand al are adjustahle grid wire to heisevered. .These cams ti! and 81' towards or away from each otherby the adjust-' ment of the discs which carried them, one of these discs being provided with arcuate slots!!! "and;-

the other of said discsbeingprovided with clamping screws 83 passing through said slots 82,

whereby the two discs may be rotatably adjusted With respect to each other; a

In Figs. '7- and 8 isshowna modification of the invention. According to this modification there is a separate electrode or'burn'ing ofljtool, H30 and N10, for severing the grid wire at the'points M and I5 (Fig. 1.),and each electrode, is con trolled and 'ope ratedby two, separate cams,:one

-cam llll on the cam or control shaft 20 and the] other cam .102 on "the-shaft H! which is geared to the sleeve 'Eto run at the same speed as the I latter. Each electrode or tool is carried by a le yer mechanism pivotally mounted on the upper mechanism is formed of'twdrelatively movable parts, bothpivoting about the axis 46. Qne of these parts is indicated at HM having a toe part rying thev cam IM.

this spring yieldingly holds the; lever 104 into" end of the frame member 4'! 'at' 46. This lever 10. e p 5! which rests on the periphery of the disc car- 5 L The lever lfl l'is fastened, I by a spring H15 to-the frame member 4'! and l The. other relatively movable part ofthe electrode lever mechanism is indicated at I06 and is pivotally mounted on the frame member? to pivot about the axis 46. The electrode or tool is carried 'bya member I01 which is split at its outer'end to form a pair of clamping jaws I08. these jaws being provided with a screw for adjustably clamping the electrode or tool therebetween. The electrode is preferably of copper or copper alloy and the carrying member W1 is of any suitable metal and is fastened to the upper surface of the right hand end (Fig. 8) of the lever part I06 by means of the screws I01. The left hand portion of thejlever member I06 carries a pin IIO which projects through an arcuate slot III formed in the lever member I04, and the latter carries a set screw II2 which projects into the upper end of the slot II I whereby the relative pivotal movement between the two parts I04 and I05 is adjustably limited inone direction. "The lever member I04 also carries an upright arm I I3 having its upper end bent at right angles and .tothe latter is fastened a spring N4, the latter ,being fastened at its lower end by means of the screw II5 shown to the lever part I06.

This spring II4 tends to maintain the lever part I06 in a position where the pin carried thereby engages the set screw IIZ. On the opposite side of the axis 46 from the lever part I04 the lever part I06 carries an actuating member IIB having aknife edge toe I I6 in engagement with the cam I02, this member IIB being fastened to the side of the lever member I06 by means of the screws II'I. The-spring I4 tends to hold the member I H5 in contact with the periphery of the cam disc I 02, and the latter has a cut out portion I02 into whichthe member H6 abruptly drops when the cam disc I02 reaches that position and when so permitted by the lifting of'lever I04 by cam The adjustment is such. that with the toe 5| of lever I04 in engagement with the periphery of the disc carrying the cam. H, the member I I 0. is prevented from falling into the out out part I02 when the disc I02 carries its out out I02 therepast; and the member H6 is permitted to drop into the cut out part to bring the electrode or tool into contact with the grid wire only when the cam IOI operates the member I04 to lift the set screw I I2 and move it away from the pin I I0. The cam disc I02 being disposedon the shaft I0 operates at a very much faster speed than that of control shaft on'which the cam I0! is mountedand the tool is in contact with the grid wire only while the cut out I02 is passing under the actuating member H6, which is just for an instant. The cam IOI determines the short period during which the tool may be brought into contact with the grid wire, and the cam I02, I02 determines the instant of contact during such period. The lever member I 06 is of any insulating material for carrying and insulating the tool I00, I00, or it may be of metal and the tool insulatedly carried thereby.

- There is, as indicated above, a separate cam and lever actuated mechanism for each of the electrodes or burning off tools I00 and I00 and these mechanisms are substantially alike and, accordingly, the description above answers for both. It is observed, however, that the carrying members I01 for the tools areof different lengths to correspond to thedifferent lengths of the portions I50 and I3I of the tools I00 and.I00"as shown in Fig. '7. These tools are otherwise substantially identical, and each comprises the four right angle bends indicated to bring the contacting ends of the tools to the desired positions adjacent the grid being formed and the cutting and swaging members.

Each of the cams 80 and 8I,'through the actuating projection "I9, closesand opens the circuit in fairly rapid succession, and simultaneously therewith the electrode is broughtinto contact for an instant with the grid'wire at the point where it is to be severed. In the modification of Figs. 3 and 6 the single electrode I3 is-thus brought into contact with the grid wire to sever the grid wire both atthe points I4 and I5,whereas in the modification ofFigs. '7 and 8the electrode I00 severs the wireat the point I5 and the electrode I00 severs the wire at the point I4.

Since each electrode. in the latter modification has an independent operating mechanism, each such latter may be adjusted entirely independently of the mechanism for the other electrode, and, accordingly, these mechanisms may be accurately adjusted to bring the electrodes into contact with the grid Wire at the points I4 and I5 at the same time or at different times.

A single switch mechanism, identical with that illustrated'in Fig. 5, functions to control the current supply to bothelectrodes I00 and I00 and electrical potential is, therefore, supplied between these electrodes and the grid wire at the same time. Whether the electrodes are operated by their cam mechanisms and brought into contact with the grid wire at the same instant or at different times, the burning off current can flow only when an electrode I00 or I00 is brought into contact with the grid wire, and the latter operations" are governed by the independently adjustable operating mechanisms for the electrodes.

The circuits in the two cases Fig. 5 and Figs. 7, 8 are slightly different in that in Fig. 5 a

transformer is'interposed in the circuit with the switch 66 which opens and closes the primary 02 of the transformer, while the secondary 53 is connected with the burning oh. tool; whereas in the modification of Figs. 7 and 8 the transformer is not utilized but instead a battery I20 is connected directly with the tools I00 and I00 through I the switch control mechanism. This circuit con- The cams and 56 of Fig. 6 and an of Figs.

7 and 8 are observed to have inclined surfaces on the leading side and substantially radial surfaces on the other, the inclined surfaces being disposed on the advancing side for engagement with the toe 5i of the actuator 5! of Fig. 6 and the toes 5| of the actuators I04 of Figs. 7 and 8. The'radial surfaces of these cams 55, 50 to the rear effects a comparatively quick withdrawal of the electrode from contact with the grid wire,

In the modification, however, of Figs. 7 and 8 the period during which the electrodes I00 and I00 are in actualcontact with the wire is governed by the speed of the cams I02 and the length of the cut out I02 and this period of actual contact between the electrode and the grid wire is very much shorter than is the case with the modification of Fig. 8. This short period or instant of actual contact is important because of the fact that the mandrel and the grid being formed are rotating at a comparatively high speed, the same speed as the shaft I0. The speed of operation of thegrid forming 'mechanism therefore may be maintained at a high production rate, and the independently adjustable operating burning off tool mechanisms facilitatewaccurate adjustments for severing the grid wire at the points 14 and i5.

In the modification of Figs. 7 and 8 only one eccentric 2d, pawl 2| and ratchet wheel 23 mechanism is utilized for driving the controlshaft 2%] from the eccentric or drive shaft In. In the modification of Fig. 3 wherein the two eccentrics and pawl drive mechanisms are employed the drive of the control shaft 2!], while intermittent approaches morenearly a uniform drive, but I have found that thedegree of uniformity of drive of the shaft 2i! is relatively unimportant in the modifications of Figs. '7 and 8 embodying the separate burning oif tools and the separate actuating and control mechanisms therefor.

Referring to Fig. 7 the control shaft 2i! is provided with apair of split bearings I25 at the opposite ends whereby the shaft as a unit with the controls thereof adjusted for any particular grid may be removed as a unit and another unit i for a different .design of grid may be substituted.

At I26 there is illustrated a friction brake which prevents the overrunning of the control shaft 20, the degree of grip of this brake being adjustable through the tightening screw I21.

The operation is clear from above: Cam 32', for actuating the abrading wheel 4 to a position outside the path of the rotating support wires 1, is adjusted as to its circumferential length to obtain. the desired relative lengths of fastened and unfastened sections of grid wire coils 2 and 2. With that desired adjustment obtained, the cams it! (and earns and5'5), 80, and 8| are then adjusted to operate the burning off tools Hill, Hit (and l3) and supply electrical potential between the tools and the grid wire at the desired times and points for severing the unwound sections of the grid wire 2' at the points It and I5. For example, looking at Fig. 1 and with the top wire I moving away from the observer, the relative adjustments of the cams IM and and 8| are such as to bring the burning off tools Hill and H10 in contact with the grid wire at the points I5 and It, and the severing at the point 95 is effected as soon after the abrading operation at l5 as is practicable. The severing at it occurs at any suitable time after the abrading operation at [4 and, as indicated above,

the adjustments may be such, if desired, as to sever at the points i 4 and I5 at the same instant.

The electrode (it!!!) which severs at the point l5 comes in contact with the grid wire when the upper wire i of Fig. 1 is advancing toward that electrode and the electrode (IOU') which severs at the point It makes contact with the grid wire just as the upper wire I has passed under and is moving away from that electrode, assuming the upper wire I in Fig. 1 is moving away from the observer.

In the modification wherein the single tool [3 is employed this single electrode is timed, of course, to sever the grid wire at both of the points H3 and 15 between two adjacent grid wire fastened sections. In the circuit of Fig. 5 either alternating current or direct current may be supplied to the terminals 66 preferably direct current, as from, a storage battery I20, whereby electrical impulses are caused to pass through the primary iil of thetransformer by the opening and closing of the switchBG, which in turn sets electrode means into contact with up electrical impulses in the circuit: including the secondary 63 for burning the grid wire.

The unfastened sections f2 of the grid gwire thus severed; may be easily and readily removed At is illustrated any conventional rotating clampqfo'r drawing thesupport wires I along the mandrel 5, as the notching wheel 3, andthe abrading wheel 4 fastens the grid wire'thereabout which issupplied from the reel 6 and as the burning oif tools I90 and H30 (and I3) function as above described to, sever the unwound sections 2 progressively as the grid length in creases. When the clamp 90 reaches its limit of translational movement toward the left, the ma- 1 unit thus formed is severed from the support chine is stopped and the multiple grid length or wires .l at any convenient point adjacent the wheels 3 and 4, and between two adjacent fastened coils 2. i

The multiple grid length or unit-comprising the elongated support wires I and the sections of fastened coils-2 is then severed into'its component parts to form the separate grids, the severing in each case taking place at a point between the adjacent. abraded notches at M'and !5. One turn of shaft '20 corresponds to one cycle of operation, namely one I claim: i

grid 1 1. In a grid machine, in combination, a rotating mandrel for support ,wire including means forsupplying support wire thereto, means for feeding the support wire along, the mandrel, a notching wheel for forming notches in the-wire as the latter is drawn along the mandrel, means for ,feeding grid wire to form the grid coils about the support wire with the grid wire disposed'in the notches formed by the notching wheel, an'

.abrading wheel for fastening the grid ,turns within the notches, including means for withdrawing the abradingwheel fromengagement with the support wire at intervals to provide unfastened sections of grid wire turns alternating with fastened seotions, 'movable electrode-means and means for bringing the latter into contact with the grid wire to sever the unfastened grid l wire sections,.an electrical circuit for supplying electrical potential between the electrode and the grid wire,and means for closing said circuit simultaneously with the bringing of the electrode means into contact with the grid wire.

2. In a grid machine, in combination, relatively rotating -mandrel and grid wire supply means, means for feeding a support wire along said mandrel about which the grid wire is wound,, means for fastening the grid wire to said support wire at intervals with: unfastened sections of grid wire between said intervals, electrode means together with means for causing the same to contact with the endsof the unfastened grid wire sections at points adjacent the fastened sections, and means for supplying electrical potential between said electrode means and the grid wire simultaneously with the bringing, of the the unfastened grid wire sections.

3. In a grid machine, in combination, relatively rotating mandrel and grid ,wire supply means, means for: feeding a support wire along said mandrel about which the grid wire is Wound, means for fastening the grid wire to said support wire at intervals with unfastened sections of grid Wire between said intervals, 2. pair of electrode mechanisms for burning off the unfastened sections, each of said mechanisms com.- prising a movable electrode, a pair of,--.cams

iii)

rotating at difierent speeds for actuating said electrode to bring the electrode into contact with the grid wire and means for supplying electrical potential tosaid electrodes simultaneously with the bringingof the same into contact with the g id wire.

4. In a machine of the character set forth in claim 3 wherein each of the electrodes is carried by a lever mechanism including one part which is yieldingly held in engagement with a relatively slow speed cam and another relatively movable part having an interlock with the other part to limit the pivotal movement in one direction, said second named part being in operative engagement with a relatively faster moving cam and yielding meansurging the second named part of the lever into engagement with the fast moving cam. Y

5. In a machine of the character set forth in claim 3 wherein each of the electrodes is carried by a lever mechanism including one part which is yieldingly held in engament with a relatively slow speed cam and another relatively movable part having an interlock with the other part to limit the pivotal movement in one direction, said second named part being in operative engagement with a relatively faster moving cam and yielding means urging the second named part of the lever into engagement with the fast moving cam, said interlock preventing the movement of the electrode to contact with the, grid wire until the slow moving cam reaches a predetermined position, and said spring operating said electrode to contact the grid wire when permitted by said cam. H

6. In a grid machine, in combination, relati ely rotating mandrel and grid wire supply means, means for feeding a support wire along said mandrel about which the grid wire is wound, means for fastening the grid wire to the said support wire at intervals with unfastened sections of grid wirebetween fastened sections, and 'a'burning off mechanism comprising a movable electrode adaptedto be brought into contact with the unfastened sections of grid wire, a slow speed shaft and a relatively high speed shaft having cams thereon for controlling the electrode, with the'slow speed cam determining periods'during which the electrode may be brought into contact with the unfastened wire and the cam on the high speed shaft determining the instant during said period the electrode isbrought into contact with the wire, and means operating in timed relation with the aforesaid cams for supplying electrical potential between the electrode and the grid wire simultaneously with the bringing of the electrode into contact with the grid wire.

'7. In a machine of the character set forth in claim 6'wherein the electrode is controlled by two independently movable levers having limited pivotal movement with respect to each other, one of said levers engaging the cam on the slow speed shaft and the other of said levers engaging the cam on the high speed shaft, said low speed cam having a raised surface for establishing an angle through which the two levers may move relatively to each other and said fast speed cam having a lowered surface for permitting one of the levers to move through the angle permitted by the other lever when actuated by the raised cam surface.

8. In a grid machine, in combination, relatively.

rotating mandrel and grid wire supply means, means for feeding a support wire along said mandrel about which the grid wire was wound,

means for fastening the grid wire to said support wire at intervals with unfastened sections of grid wire between fastened sections, a control shaft each of whose revolutions correspond to a gridlength, a second shaft rotating at a higher speed, and means for severing the unfastened sections of grid .wire comprising a movable electrode, cams on said shafts controlling the movements of said electrode to cause the came to make an instantaneous contact with the unfastened grid wire at" each revolution of the first mentioned shaft and means operated in timed relation therewith for supplying electrical potential between the electrode and the grid wire simultaneously with the bringing of the electrode into contact with 10. In a machine of the character set forth,

arotating mandrel for support wire including means for supplying support wire thereto, means for feeding'support wire along the mandrel, a notching wheel for forming notches in the Wire as the latter is drawn along the mandrel, means for feeding grid wire 'to form the grid coils' about the support wire with the grid wire disposed in the notches formed by the notching wheel, an 'abrading wheel for fastening the grid turns within the notches including means for withdrawing the 'abrading wheel from engagement with the support wire at intervals to form sections of fastened gridwire, separated by sections ofunfastened grid wire, a shaft geared to rotate in unison with themandrel, a control shaft with driving means for rotating the latter at a reduced speed from the first named shaft,

a pair of independent severing mechanisms for severing the unfastened sections of grid wire at points adjacent the fastened sections oneither side thereof, said mechanisms comprising a pair of electrodes spaced from each other in the direction of movement of the support wire, each of said mechanisms, comprising cams on said shafts and lever members in engagement with the cams and carrying electrodes, an electrical circuit including a switch for supplying electrical potential between the electrodes and the grid wire and a cam on the second named shaft for operating said switch when the electrodes are in contact with the grid wire.

11. In a machine of the character set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for severing the unfastened sections of grid wire consists of a. single electrode mechanism for severing the unfastened sections at both ends.

12. In a machine of the character set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for severing the unfastened sections comprises a pair of separate and independent electrode mechanisms for severing the unfastened sections at their opposite ends.

13. In a machine of the character set forth in claim 10 wherein the reduced speed shaft is driven from the other shaft by means of a pawl and the eccentric drive.

14. In a grid machine, in combination, a rotating mandrel for support wire including means for supplying support wire thereto, means for 7 meansinto Contact with the unfastened'grid wire fee-ding tir su bo rt as has the mandrel; a

not'ching wheel for forming notchesin the wire asthe latter is drawn along the mandrel, means forfeedinggrid wire to form the grid coils about the support wire with the grid wire disposed in the n otchesformed by the notching wheel, an alcr ading, wheelv for fastening the .grid turns within the notches, including means for withdrawing the a'brading wheel from engagement with the support wire at intervals to provide unfastened sections of grid wire turns alternating with fastened sections, movable electrode means and means for bringing the latter into contact with the grid wire to sever the unfastened grid wire sections, an electrical circuit for l6. In a grid machine, in combination, relarotating mandrel and grid wire supply means, means for feeding a supportwire along "said mandrel about which the grid wire is wound,

means for fastening the grid wire to said support Wire at intervals with unfastened sections of grid wire between said intervals, electrode means'together with means for causing the same to contact with the 'ends of the unfastened grid wire sections at points adjacentthe fastened sections, and means for supplying electrical potential between said electrode means and the grid wire simultaneously with the bringing of the electrode sectionsand a control shaft with means thereon for determining the character of the grid and neansincluding split bearings whereby said shaft the mechanisms thereon may befreplaced with another unit adjusted for a different grid.

17. In a grid machine, in combination, relatively rotating mandrel and grid wire supply means, means for feedingja supportwire along said mandrel about which the grid wire is wound, means for fastening the grid wire to the said Su pp0rt wire at intervals with unfastened sections of grid wire at said intervals, an electrode ,mechanisrn ror burning off the unfastened sections, said mechanism comprising an electrode, a pair of cams rotating at different speeds for actuating said electrode to bring the electrode into contact with the grid wire and means for supplying electricalpotential to said electrode.

18. In a grid machine in which there are relatively r means, means for feeding a support wire along said mandrelabout which the gridwire is wound, ahdrneans for fastening the grid Wiretci said support wire at intervals with unfaste'ned see I tions of grid wire at said intervals, an electrode mechanism ror burning on the unfastened sf iq wire comprising a movable electrode, a slow speed cam and a high speed cam for actuatingsaid electrode to bringthe electrode into Contact with the grid wire, said slow speed cam deter mining the period during which the electrode may be brought into contact with the unfastened wire'and said high speed camdete'rmining A instant during said period the electrode is brought into contact with the wire and means for sup plying electrical potential to said electrode, 1

.19, A machine of the characterset forth in claim 2 wherein themeans for supplyin'g elc: trical potential includesa circuit having therein anormally open switch and a cam operating in timed relation with means for actuating the electrode means for closing the circuitwhen the elec trode contacts with the grid wire. 2D. In a maehine of the character set forth in claim 2 wherein the electrode means and means for causing the same to contact with the ends of the unfastened grid wire section s comprises a rotating earn, a lever carrying an electrode, one

end of said leverbeing inoperative-engagement with said cam, and spring 'means for holding said end of the lever in engagement with the m.

tively rotating mandrel and grid wire supply 21. In a grid machine, incombinatiom'relameans, means for feeding a support wire along said mandrel about which the grid wire is wound, means for fastening the grid wire to the said support wire at intervals with unfastened sections of grid Wire between fastened sections, and a burning oif mechanism comprising a movable] electrode adapted to be brought into contact with the unfastened sections of grid wire, aslow speed shaft and a relatively highv speed shaft having cams thereon for controlling the 1 electrode,.'with the slow speed cam determining periods during which the electrode may be brought .into contact with the unfastened wire andfth e cam on the high, speed shaft determining the instant during said period-the electrode is brought into contact with the wire, and means supplying electrical potential to said electrode. ,g I I e 22. In a machine of the character set forthin claim 21 wherein the burning voff mechanism comprises two relatively movable levers, on e of said levers carrying the electrode and being in operative engagement with the high speed cam' and the other of said levers being in engagement with the slow speed cam.

JAME -A, LACKEY.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,188,906. I February 6, l9l O.

' JAMES A. LACKEY. It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification 'of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, first coldmn, line 51;, for "spring 1h" read spring llh; same page, second column, line '71, for "Fig. 8" read Fig. 6; page 5, second column, line 9 claim 8, for the word "came" read same; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein fiiat the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office. I I

Signed and sealed this 2nd day of April, A. D. 19h0.

Henry Van Arsdale,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

